Laurinda Thomas
The looming reality of becoming empty nesters usually leads a couple to thoughts of travel and relaxation for their next chapter. When you both come from a farming family and one of you has had a lifelong dream of planting a vineyard, your thoughts go in a completely different direction.
With this month’s Grower Profile, we are happy to introduce you to Jim and Ranae Mills of Rustic Spur Vineyards of Fredericksburg, who went a different direction and were joined by their youngest daughter, Sherah Mills. Fulfilling a dream Ranae had since she was a teen, the Mills planted their first three acres in 2013 consisting of Tannat, Souzão, and Semillon. In 2018 they planted an acre of Albariño and in 2022 they planted ½ acre of Cinsault. In 2024 they are still holding at around 4½ acres under vine with no immediate plans to expand. With the Mills family now being 7th or 8th-generation farmers, some of their goals are to ensure they are not only paying homage to the land where their vineyard is planted but also to their family history while continuing to build upon the family legacy.
- What did you do before growing grapes?
Jim is in the Financial Services Industry, Ranae is a bookkeeper, and Sherah was a college student.
- When did you first plant your vineyard, and how many acres did you start with?
Three acres of vines were planted in 2013.
- How many acres do you have today, and what grapes are planted?
We have 4.3 acres today: Tannat, Semillon, Souzão, Albariño, and Cinsault.
- Do you farm any other crops? And if so, what?
Peaches.
- What first attracted you to growing grapes?
Getting back to a family heritage of farming for a family legacy, a mid-life crisis, and a calling from the Lord.
- What is the toughest challenge about being a grape grower in Texas?
Like all farmers, we pray for good weather, a decent rain, and no late spring frosts.
- If you didn’t grow grapes, what would you do?
Tough question; I have not thought about that.
- After a long day in the vineyard, what do you like to do?
Relax on the porch with our dogs.
- What’s the best part about being a grape grower?
The satisfaction at the end of the growing season with a beautiful harvest.
- What advice would you give someone wanting to start a vineyard today?
Don’t be afraid of hard work and elbow grease.
